The track-lover's Chevy Camaro, the crossover based on Mercedes' excellent small car, and a lightweight version of the best-selling truck in the world.

Mini Hardtop/Cooper S

Mini Hardtop/Cooper S

The Gist: When BMW gave Mini new life in 2000, the new German owners had long since quit making tiny cars of their own. BMW execs may have had no idea their erstwhile British baby would alter the automotive landscape, auguring smaller cars with premium aspirations all over the world. BMW hit upon a genius formula for making small cars worth big dollars. Today every carmaker in the world wants its own version.

The trouble for BMW has been scale. Mini sales are mighty, but building these cars on their own platform with unique engines is costly, so the gen-three new Mini will share a structure and some engines with BMW.

Why You Want One: The Hardtop and S grow a little in length (4.7 inches) and get 1.7 inches wider. If you're lamenting this as middle-age spread, know that the new chassis is stiffer, and steering, while still playful, is no longer so darty that the Mini grows tiresome on long highway jaunts.

Technical Details: About a year ago we test-drove a 1 Series with BMW's new 1.5-liter turbo three-cylinder, which BMW said could be configured to deliver nearly 200 hp. However, here it's making only 134 hp. The new 2.0-liter is a lot more potent, at 189 hp. Which motor you want may have a lot to do with the depth of your wallet.

2014 Alfa Romeo 4C

2014 Alfa Romeo 4C

When: April 2014

How Much: $55,000

The Gist: Let's call this the cheapest Maserati on the market. After all, it's built at Maserati's Modena, Italy, plant rather than in Turin, where Fiat cousins spawn.

Why You Want One: No other nonsupercar gets a custom-fabricated carbon-fiber tub, which alone makes the 4C unique. The real payoff is a car that tips the scales at barely 2650 pounds. One bummer is that only a dual-clutch automatic will be sold in the States, at least at first.

Technical Details: The 1.7-liter four comes from the front of an Alfa Giulietta, where it's plenty entertaining (rent one if you find yourself in Italy, and giggle yourself silly knowing that this same chassis is shared by the Dodge Dart and Jeep Cherokee). Here, however, the engine has been boosted to 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. And it's located right behind the driver's ears, a la a Ferrari.